Body and Soil Conference Coming to Maui

Healthy bodies begin with healthy land that produces the most nutritious foods possible. The Body and Soil Conference, slated for January 14, 15 and 16 on Maui, helps Hawaiian farmers understand the importance of growing foods under optimal conditions and the implications on our health overall. The three-day conference is packed with expert presenters that will speak on a wide range of topics, from using a biochar in the Hawaiian agricultural system, to how agriculture affects our heart health.

Jerry Brunetti

Soil consultant Brunetti is a veteran of the Body and Soil Conference, with the 2011 event marking his sixth appearance. This year, Brunetti will be talking on, “Inflammation of the Fires Within,” which will explain some of the factors that go into our bodies’ ability to maintain a state of wellness. Brunetti will also discuss “The Nectar of the Roots,” which will go into an explanation of the chemistry and biology of the rhizosphere. Brunetti will be offering early registration for some of his other conferences as well.

Peter Hirst

Hirst will be demonstrating the use of a biochar in Hawaii’s agricultural system. This soil amendment actually promotes the storage of carbon underground so that it is not released into the air, adding to the atmospheric greenhouse gases. This could be a significant improvement in Hawaiian farming, since the islands have significant quantities of biomass. The biochar will help farmers develop young acidic soils to producing a better pH balance for crop production.

Eva Lee Long

A volcano green tea propagator and farmer, Long and her husband also own Tea Hawaii & Company in Volcano. Long has a long, proven success rate in the propagation and cultivation of the popular tea plant found in white, green and oolong teas. Currently, Long works with the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and Tea Project.

Dr. Tom Cowan

This medical doctor will bring a whole different perspective to the Body and Soil Conference, with talks on how agriculture, economics and diet have affected the health of the heart. He will also provide an overview of the cause and treatment of heart disease and an overview on cancer and auto-immune diseases. Dr. Cowan currently practices medicine at his San Francisco office and does long-distance consultations by telephone.

Dr. Patrick MacManaway

Dr. MacManaway hails from Scotland, where he is a practitioner of dowsing and earth acupuncture, healing disturbances in both interior and exterior spaces. He believes that by aligning our actions and activities in a healthy relationship with our surroundings, we can see great benefits. His practice is based in geomancy, which means, “divination of the earth.” Dr. MacManaway explores pathways, consequences and ethics of interactions between man and earth.

The Body and Soil Conference promises to be an education and inspiring experience for all who attend. With a packed list of a wide range of field experts, guests of the conference are sure to get new ideas and directions for their own farming endeavors. The conference does still have trade show booths available, as well as camping sites complete with hot showers.